Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

In the event of an area wide disaster, critical infrastructure and emergency services will be impacted. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) academy trains residents to prepare for and respond to life-threatening events in their community. CERT members can mobilize neighborhood resources, deliver immediate assistance to victims, organize emergency communications and provide support to first responders.

CERT academies are offered in the communities served by the Santa Clara County Fire Department and are offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. Some of the skills taught include organizing resources, medical operations, basic search and rescue, how to use a fire extinguisher and damage assessment.

Using classroom and simulation-based education, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace immediately following an event when emergency responders may not be immediately available to help.

CERT training is accomplished in about 21-hours culminating with a final disaster simulation exercise applying the skills participants have learned.